Grit, belief, and experience define a dramatic semi-final day at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
A Night Where Momentum Refused to Settle
On a night where momentum refused to settle, Jessica Pegula once again proved why she remains one of the most resilient competitors on the WTA Tour.
The World No. 5 clawed her way back from a set and a break down to defeat Amanda Anisimova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, booking her first-ever final appearance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Anisimova Takes Control Under the Lights
Under the lights at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Anisimova looked in complete control early. The world No. 6 broke Pegula twice in the opening set, powering her way through the first 28 minutes with confidence and authority. For the thousands watching, it felt like history was unfolding. Anisimova seemed destined to become the first woman since Monica Seles in 2003 to reach the finals in both Doha and Dubai.
She had reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open last year and had already shown remarkable grit earlier in the week by eliminating Mirra Andreeva, leaving the defending champion in tears.
A Familiar Turning Point in an All-American Battle
Anisimova carried that dominance into the second set, breaking again and surging ahead 6-1, 3-1. This semi-final was the first all-American last-four clash in Dubai since Venus Williams and Serena Williams met in 2009, and it was here that the match began to shift.
Pegula did not panic. She recalibrated.
“I just kept telling myself to try and keep holding and find a couple different serves, get some momentum a little bit,” she said. “Luckily, I did just in the nick of time. Then I was able to put pressure on her serve right away and slowly turn the match around.”
Experience Tips the Balance
Slowly, the pressure shifted. Pegula held, broke, and consolidated, squeezing the match until it tilted her way. Having reached the semi-finals here in 2023, she leaned into experience, consistency, and belief.
“I know that I can turn matches around,” said Pegula. “We’ve played a lot of times, but every time it’s really tough. It’s not like I’m killing her every single time. But I know what I can do to kind of bother her game… I had to really make it a little physical there for a while. Then obviously at the end when I gained that momentum, it felt like there was a little bit of a lull in the energy where she was maybe a little tired.”
The rallies grew longer and the margins thinner. When Anisimova’s forehand drifted long, Pegula dropped her racquet and raised her arms in celebration. Waiting for her in Saturday’s final is Elina Svitolina.
Three Hours, Five Match Points, One Survivor
For Svitolina, endurance was everything.
The World No. 9 battled for more than three hours to overcome Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-7(13), 6-4 in a match that tested every physical and mental limit. Gauff saved five match points before Svitolina finally closed the door, keeping her hopes of a third Dubai title alive and her first WTA 1000 crown since 2018.
“It was extremely tough physically and mentally,” said Svitolina, who won back-to-back titles in Dubai in 2017 and 2018 and has since given birth to her daughter Skai. “Of course, it was important for me to bounce back after that second set. I had some chances to close the match, but unfortunately, they didn’t go my way. I was trying to really put my head down and keep fighting, keep trying to find the opportunities. I’m very happy I could stay composed in a way and close the third set.”
Why Dubai Still Feels Different for Svitolina
The two had met just last month at the Australian Open, where Svitolina also emerged victorious. Once again, when the pressure moments arrived, experience mattered.
Asked about returning to the final eight years after lifting her last Dubai trophy, she reflected carefully. “For sure I had special moments on this court, winning for the first time here, entering the top 10, coming the next year, and winning it again. Of course, I have great memories, and it’s going to be special. I’ll try to not think too much about it right now. For me, it’s just about recovering and trying to do my very best to be in a good shape.”
Perspective in Defeat for Gauff
For Gauff, disappointment was evident, but so was perspective.
“Obviously, it’s tough to come out on the losing end of a match like this, but there’s a lot of positives to take from it. Elina played great, and I thought I played great, so it came down to the wire. I’ll learn from it. Entering a tournament not in my best form and still making the semis means a lot, and hopefully I can take this momentum into Indian Wells and Miami.”
Veterans and Rising Forces Set a Doubles Final
Saturday’s doubles final promises a compelling contrast.
Fifth seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani will face the unseeded but highly experienced pairing of Vera Zvonareva and Laura Siegemund.
Dabrowski and Stefani battled back from a set down to defeat Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina 4-6, 6-2, 10-6.
Zvonareva and Siegemund, aged 41 and 37, respectively, defeated Jaqueline Cristian and Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 7-6(6), reminding everyone that experience still carries weight on the biggest stages.
What Comes Next in Dubai
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The tournament will be followed by the emirate’s ATP 500 men’s event from February 23 to 28.
Tickets for the 2026 Championships remain on sale, with prices starting from Dh65. Full details are available at dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or ticketmaster.ae.
